MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's young football team got put to the test against defending Midwest Conference champion Monmouth, falling 42-7 in the MWC opener on a rainy Saturday at Van Metre Field at Ash Park.
Monmouth (1-2 overall, 1-0 MWC), the preseason favorite to claim this year's league crown, relied on a strong running game throughout and held Cornell's offense in check for its 11th consecutive MWC victory.
Down 28-0 at halftime, the Rams (1-2 overall, 0-1 MWC) showed an initial spark to begin the third quarter after forcing Monmouth's offense to a 3-and-out.
Cornell then capitalized on a roughing the punter penalty, and two plays later, quarterback
Mason Dew connected with
Kaleb Skeffington for a 45-yard touchdown pass, bringing the score to 28-7.
Skeffington's second TD grab of the season gave Cornell some momentum, although the Fighting Scots quickly regained it with a long return of 81 yards on the ensuing kickoff. Monmouth's Nate Wrublik recorded the third of his four rushing TDs on the day and Monmouth didn't look back.
Wrublik finished his big afternoon with 170 yards on 23 carries.
Senior linebacker
Jamal Thompson turned in a career day for the Rams with 14 tackles. Safety
Joshua Martin was active in Cornell's secondary with nine tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and one pass breakup. Martin's interception was the ninth of his career.
Defensive tackle Hunter Kollash recorded two tackles for loss.
Cornell's offense was limited to 215 total yards and nine first downs. Sophomore running back
Justin Bender, coming off his first 100-yard game last week, carried eight times for 38 yards.
Skeffington led the receiving corps with two catches for 54 yards. Dew finished 9-of-21 passing for 96 yards.
The Fighting Scots amassed 313 rushing yards and went 10-of-15 on third down conversions. The Rams finished 3-of-15 on third down. Cornell did not commit a turnover.
Monmouth improved to 42-4 in MWC play over the past six seasons.
Coming up – The Rams travel to play MWC newcomer Luther (2-1 overall, 1-0 MWC) next Saturday, Sept. 26 in Decorah. Kickoff is 1 p.m. at Carlson Stadium.
